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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> What is this cable? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1629819388 Message started by Natedog on Aug 24^th, 2021, 4:36pm

Title: What is this cable?
Post by Natedog on Aug 24^th, 2021, 4:36pm

Doing a bit more clearing in my late father in laws workshop today. I've found a drum of what I'd guess is 10mm² cable - the single conductor is a similar size to a pencil and made up of 7 individual strands and single black insulation

Is this cable still used for anything these days or is it one for the scrap man?

Cheers

[gallery]Natedog/1629819285.jpg[/gallery]

10mm spanner for scale

Title: Re: What is this cable?
Post by Lectrician on Aug 27^th, 2021, 8:15pm

Looks like single insulated 6 or 10mm. Black sheath. Years ago it would have been used for bonding.

It could be used these days in conduit and trunking as a live conductor, but to be honest it's value is more as scrap.

Most scrap metal merchants will accept cable "as is". It's worth less to them, so the price is reduced, but if you can't be bothered to strip it before taking it to them, it's money in your pocket.

Title: Re: What is this cable?
Post by Natedog on Aug 27^th, 2021, 9:28pm

I've got a huge pile of t&e to strip, so adding this to it isn't gonna make much difference. It's waiting for me to get round to making a machine to strip it.

I've seen a few videos of people stripping it by putting it through a powered mangle and squashing it to pop thr insulation open. It's on the list of things for me to arse about with when I'm bored ;D